Icebreaker fibre is sourced from sheep that have not been mulesed, this includes the traditional surgical method and the clips method. Mulesing removes strips of skin around the tail to prevent the fly-strike disease (Myiasis).
Maintaining high animal welfare standards is an essential part of the Icebreaker ethos, which is based on respect for nature, ethics and sustainability.
The sheep that grow Icebreaker's merino fibre in New Zealand's Southern Alps graze on pasture in free range conditions all year long, and are given extra feed at times of slow pasture growth.
High country farmers many of whose families have farmed the land for generations have developed the stockmanship necessary to keep their sheep healthy and content, which ensure their farms remain productive.
Icebreaker has developed deep relationships with these farmers, who are required to meet five basic animal welfare requirements: - Freedom from thirst and hunger; - Provision of appropriate comfort and shelter; - Prevention of (or rapid diagnosis and treatment of) injury, disease or parasite infestation; - Freedom from distress; and - The ability to display normal patters of behaviour.
The farmers who supply Icebreaker merino are also required to meet minimum standards of care of sheep dogs.
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